Read a full match report of the Uefa European Under-21 Championship game
between England and Italy at Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv, Israel, on
Wednesday, June 5, 2013.

If this was a glimpse of England’s future, it was like watching an old film. Familiar failings were seen in the youngsters’ deficiencies in technique, responsibility-taking and belief. For Andrea Pirlo dictating play against England at Euro 2012 read Marco Verratti at this European Under-21 Championship.

Verratti was the deep-lying playmaker, launching attack after attack with intelligent, assured passes. The Paris St-Germain midfielder managed 120 passes, in contrast to England’s best, Jordan Henderson, who made 44. There were painful echoes of Kiev where Pirlo’s 131 (over two hours) for Cesare Prandelli’s side contrasted with Ashley Cole’s 44, the highest of Roy Hodgson’s players.

Italy’s Under-21s coach, Devis Mangia, afterwards thanked Prandelli for letting him have Verratti for this tournament rather than travelling with the seniors to the Confederations Cup in Brazil. England took individuals eligible for the Under-21s, Jack Rodwell, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck, to the seniors’ friendly game in Rio. Oxlade-Chamberlain struck a superb goal but his long-term development might have been better served by more tournament experience.

Talking generally about a perennial frustration, Pearce said: “You see it for yourself, we took them on and we didn’t have enough quality to beat them tonight.’’

Other problems vexed England, including the absence of the suspended pair of Tom Ince and Danny Rose while Wilfried Zaha’s ankle problem kept him on the bench, forcing Pearce to use players out of position but well-established flaws were apparent. England were nervous, profligate in possession and lacking in imagination. “We were awful in the first half,’’ said Pearce. “We were stagnant.” England will be strengthened by the return of Ince, Rose and Zaha for Saturday’s game with Norway, whom they beat twice in qualifying. England need the change of pace and variety of ideas they can bring. Only Nathan Redmond really worried the Italians, although Henderson had a last-minute free-kick saved.

“Some of our players in the midfield area didn’t show the real quality they have on the ball,’’ continued Pearce. “I felt we could have caused the Italians a problem if we had just been a bit more cultured with our final pass. When the likes of Redmond were running at people, he was skipping past defenders as though they weren’t there. We just needed to have a bit more quality to run in behind.’’ England simply could not handle the clever dribbling and passing of Lorenzo Insigne, a Napoli regular with a senior cap to his name.

Nathaniel Clyne tried hard but Insigne kept drifting in from the left, gliding between midfield and attack, scheming and eventually scoring with a fine, curling free-kick 11 minutes from time. It was the first goal England have conceded in 889 minutes, reflecting they do have capabilities, but they simply lacked the flair and brio of Insigne.

Inspired by Insigne and Verratti, Italy were far more fluid than Pearce’s side, who started in 4-2-3-1 formation with Connor Wickham leading the line but lacking the pace to trouble Italy’s centre-halves. He had a half-chance early on but the Inter Milan goalkeeper Francesco Bardi saved.

England never settled despite enjoying good support from a small but boisterous travelling contingent. One of the many locals backing England wore a Jack Wilshere Arsenal shirt; how Pearce could have done with a fit Wilshere dictating play in the centre. How the senior team could do with him, too.

Pearce’s side rallied briefly. Jason Lowe sent in a shot that skimmed wide. Redmond broke through and shot over. But the half should have ended with a penalty to Italy when Jack Robinson dived in on Alessandro Florenzi. When Antony Gautier waved play on, there was a loud “incredibile” from the Italian media.

England were bemoaning a strange decision early in the second half when Craig Dawson headed home from a Jonjo Shelvey corner but Gautier disallowed it, apparently for an infringement by Steven Caulker. England were furious. Such was the brief confusion that the scoreboard showed 1-0 to England and the announcer declared Pearce’s men to be ahead. Bardi, meanwhile, was taking a free-kick indicated by Gautier. “Goal disallowed” came the sheepish sound from the speakers.

“Someone told me the sixth official saw something,’’ said Pearce. “Like always we trust the officials. I can’t bleat about that because I thought there was a penalty in the first half for the Italians.” Italy resumed their attacking, this time Florenzi exploiting a slip by Robinson and crossing from the right. Fabio Borini headed the ball back and Jack Butland made a good save at the post. Butland then erred, seeing his clearance knocked down by Borini, who slot wide.

The goal that Italy had been threatening arrived with 11 minutes remaining after Clyne fouled Manolo Gabbiadini just outside the box. Insigne curled the ball over a static wall, beating Butland at his near post.

England tried to claw a goal back. Henderson’s first attempt at that last-minute free-kick was blocked by the encroaching Insigne. Henderson’s second attempt cleared the wall, but was pushed away by Bardi.

An equaliser would have been a travesty. England were second best technically and tactically.